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Stephen Curry tells PEOPLE that being underestimated has "always been part of my story"
Being an underdog before joining the NBA is why Curry connected to the new animated movie GOAT, which he produces and stars in
GOAT is in theaters Friday, Feb. 13
Stephen Curryknows how it feels to be the underdog.
A four-time NBA champion, two-time MVP and Olympic gold medalist, Curry, 37, tells PEOPLE in this week's issue that before joining the Golden State Warriors as a point guard in 2009 he was constantly underestimated.
"I was physically a late bloomer, undersized," says Curry, now 6-foot-2. "When I walked into a gym, I didn't pass the eye test." Being underrated — which is also the title of a 2023 documentary about the basketball player — has "always been part of my story."
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The son of former basketball playerDell Curry, the Warriors point guard was widely expected not to make it to the NBA. It is why his first professional basketball game remains his most cherished memory.
"I will never forget my first game day — my first regular-season game — and all of the nerves and jitters I had," he says. "Because in that moment, you're realizing a dream."
It is also why Curry connected so deeply to the new animated movieGOAT, which he produced. In the film, he lends his voice to a giraffe "roarball" player named Lenny.
The star-studded cast also includes Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, Nicola Coughlan, Nick Kroll, David Harbour, Jenifer Lewis, Aaron Pierre, Patton Oswalt, Sherry Cola, Jelly Roll and Jennifer Hudson.
"The movie is inspired by that underdog mentality that I've had my entire life," he says aboutGOAT, which follows the story of a small goat, Will, who gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play professional roarball and revolutionize the game.
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"The idea of dreaming big, even when critics and doubters are around you — I still carry that mentality and want to prove myself every time I step on the court," he says.
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Curry stars in the film alongside his wife, actress and entrepreneurAyesha Curry, with whom he sharesfour children: Riley, 13, Ryan, 10, Canon, 7 and 21-month-old Caius.
Ayesha, 36, voices Carol, a goat who serves as a maternal figure to Will, making the project even more special for the family.
"Me and Ayesha [as] parents, we love finding entertaining, uplifting stories for our kids but also something that we can enjoy ourselves," Curry says.
The star, who says he "sees a lot of [himself] in Will," says the film is something everyone can relate to, whether they are an NBA athlete or not.
"It's not just for sports, it's not just for basketball," he says of the underdog mindset. "It's a mentality I think most people have found themselves in at one point or another — something we can all tap into."
GOATis in theaters Feb. 13.
Read the original article onPeople
